1. What in your record as a public official or other experience demonstrates your ability to be effective as the Orange County Register of Deeds? This might include career or community service; be specific about its relevance to this office.

I am committed to making Orange County a better place for all of its residents. My roots are in Orange County, and, more importantly, this is where my heart is. Having been raised in a family committed to public service, I have always looked to public service as a noble cause.

I have firsthand experience in the Register of Deeds (ROD) office. I worked there for 5 and a half years. The insight gained there helped to enhance my belief that every interaction with someone is an opportunity to provide top notch service and to raise expectations. Orange County deserves the very best, and I will apply my experience, insight and commitment to our community to always provide the best service.

Outside of my experience in both the private and public sectors, I bring the knowledge of contemporary archiving practices and data storage management with my Master of Library Science from North Carolina Central University. My education and experience are only outpaced by my commitment to making Orange County a better place.

2. What, in your reckoning, is the chief goal of the Register of Deeds? How would you go about achieving your chief goal?

The Register of Deeds obligation is to preserve the integrity of our county records while making them easily accessible to the public today and for our future generations. The Register of Deeds must keep a finger on the pulse of our growing and ever changing communities so that we can understand the wants and needs of our taxpayers and provide excellent customer service to all.

To achieve those goals, I will ensure that our staff and myself would receive up-to-date continuing education, and I would have an open door policy for the public to inform me of their concerns, what we are doing right, and what we can do better.

3. If you are the incumbent, explain what you have done to improve the performance of the Register of Deeds. If you are a challenger, explain what you would do to improve the office.

There are improvements to be made in the Register of Deeds office that will create better ease of use when recording and accessing documents and expanding services offered to our taxpayers.

• Implementation of online marriage license applications. Having online marriage applications will allow the ROD staff to process requests ahead of time so when a couple comes into the office all the paperwork will be done.

• Electronic Birth registration is a statewide system in which a person can obtain their out of county birth certificate from our office. Right now you can only obtain Orange County births from the Orange County Office. About 40% of the ROD offices in the state utilize this service for their citizens. That’s just another benefit we can provide to our citizens.

• Hire Spanish-speaking employees. In 2012, a little over 3,500 births took place at UNC hospital. Around half of those children born were Latino. Our office does not employee a Spanish speaking person or have any Spanish translations on the website. The lack of equal representation does not accurately reflect our growing and changing community. The language barrier is tough on everyone: our employees and the parents that want to obtain their child’s birth certificate so that they can be enrolled in daycare just like their neighbors children. This issue also extends to death certificates, marriage licenses, legitimations, etc.

• Accept debit and credit cards. Expand forms of payment accepted in the Register of Deeds office to include credit and debit cards and provide online payments for services where it is allowed.

4. When it comes to the office of Register of Deeds, how would you make accessing or filing public documents easier and more accessible to the public?

• Providing online access to real-estate documents. Just shy of a year and a half ago the scanning of all recorded real-estate documents was completed. I aim to take the next step of that project and post the documents while implementing user friendly online access for our customers.

• Full implementation of eRecording. Electronic Recording is not a technology for the future. Around 45 counties in North Carolina are already using some form of this technology. Electronic Recording will benefit everyone as it enhances customer service and lower costs for our taxpayers by:

• On our current website, last updated November 2012, there are no clear instructions when searching for documents. I would include tips/tricks for title searches just as Durham, Johnston and Wake counties have done.

5. Identify a principled stand you would be willing to take if elected, even if it cost you popularity points with voters.

I support marriage equality. While it may not be a popular stance in every circle around our state, I was taught to respect all people. I understand discrimination and the effects it can have on our community. As Register of Deeds, I would not be able to pick and choose what laws to follow. For marriage equality issues, I would follow the lead of the progressive Registers in our state such as Buncombe County. Providing a friendly office environment to all people does not have to interfere with my professional obligations as Orange County NCROD.

• Accepting same-sex marriage applications as a sign of solidarity for all citizens is a stand I would take. Though same-sex marriage is not legal today in NC, I vow to hold applications until the ban is lifted and so that our office can complete the application process by legally issuing licenses to all citizens.

• Sign affidavits waving waiting periods for same-sex couples that choose to marry legally in states such as Maryland.

6. How do you define yourself politically and how does your political philosophy show itself in your past achievements and present campaign platform?

• I respect and care for all people • I am liberal and open-minded yet traditional • I keep up with changes in our world and community, e.g., technology, demographics

I am a progressive liberal, and I will bring a pragmatic approach to service in the office of Register of Deeds. I understand what it means pursue happiness, and to engage in our social contract: democracy. I have tried to express my beliefs and approach to governance in responses to questions asked by me from residents all throughout our county. But, I hope to have demonstrated those same beliefs and approaches in how I have successfully performed in my professional and civic capacities.